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Atomic Structure

The Reaction between Magnesium and Oxygen.

Magnesium is in group 2 of the periodic table.
A magnesium atom will lose 2 electrons to form a stable 2⁺ ion.

Oxygen is in group 6 of the periodic table.
An oxygen atom will gain 2 electrons to form a stable 2^- ion.

In this example the electrons are shown as dots and crosses.
You will often see electrons drawn like this in books.

The ionic bond between magnesium and oxygen is stronger
than the ionic bond between sodium and chlorine
because of the greater charge on the ions.
Magnesium oxide has a higher melting point because of the stronger bond.

magnesium + oxygen  magnesium oxide.
2Mg_(s)  +    O_2(g)              2MgO_(s)

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